NEWSBRIEFS

Judging dates thisweek in lighting contest

Judging for Rockdale’s annual Christmas lighting and decorations contest has been re-scheduled to Thursday and Friday, Dec. 17 and 18, according to the Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the annual event.

Judging was originally set for Dec. 10-11 but was put back one week, according to Denice Doss, Chamber of Commerce president.

Persons wanting their decorations judged are asked to have their lights on those evenings, she said.

Thorndale Cares setsdelivery day Saturday

THORNDALE—Thorndale Cares, which provides Christmas cheer to the needy in that town, will sort clothes and toys on Friday and deliver on Saturday.

Volunteers are needed both days at the old Thorndale High School gym.

A citywide food drive to assist Thorndale Cares, sponsored by the Thorndale P-TO, ended on Monday.

GOP commissionerhopeful files for post

Buddy Johnson of Thorndale has filed in the March 2 Republican Primary for the post of Precinct 4 county commissioner.

That’s the position currently held at Democrat Burke Bauerschlag who has indicated he will not seek re-election.

Johnson had previously filed paperwork to designate a campaign treasurer for the race.

The need for warm coats for students continues to be “great,” according to Rev. Jack Chelf, president of the Rockdale Rotary club, which is conducting a coat drive through Friday.

Rev. Chelf said new and gentlyused coats, in virtually all sizes, grades pre-K through high school age are needed.

Coats may be dropped off at the Chamber of Commerce’s rock house headquarters, 1203 West Cameron (US 79).

Chamber office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“Coats w ill be distr ibuted through the school nurses in the Rockdale ISD through Friday” he said.

The “Coats for Kids” drive is an annual program of the Rockdale Rotary Club.

St. Paul blood drivescheduled for Sunday

THORNDALE—Scott & White Bloodmobile’s final blood drive of 2009 at St. Paul Lutheran School is set for 8 a.m. to 12-noon Sunday.

Those donating a pint of blood at Sunday’s drive will receive a T-shirt, a recyclable grocery bag, two free games of bowling from Mel’s Lonestar Bowling of Georgetown, a two-scoop Blue Bell ice cream cone from the Thorndale Downtown Cafe and a chance to win a $200 Visa gift card from Scott & White Employee Credit Union, according to Teresa Ging, spokesperson.

CORRECTION

Rusty Sledge was second in the motorcycle division of the Dec. 5 Rockdale Christmas Parade. Results submitted to The Reporter
had listed “Rusty Tate” as the second-place winner. One transported fromMilano-area accident

One person was transported from a one-vehicle accident at 6:20 a.m. Thursday on US 79, three miles east of Milano, according to Trooper Mark Berry.

Berr y said Erick Turner of Gause was transported to Richards Memorial Hospital by AMR ambulance.

Vehicle damage was listed as “extensive.”

No injuries were reported in a two-vehicle accident at 8:20 a.m. Friday in the Milano Cefco parking lot, according to Trooper Donald Delukie Jr.

Drivers were listed as Juan Paniagua of Milano and Shawn Mullinix of Gause.

Damages were termed minor.

Post office closingearly Christmas Eve

The Rockdale Post Office will close at noon on Thursday, Dec. 24, according to Postmaster Betty Malish.

“We will also close at noon on New Year’s Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31, Malish said.

The post office will, of course, be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

South Milam fire callslisted for past week

Fire calls dispatched from the Rockdale Police Department during the past week included the following: